India Grid Trust (IndiGrid), a power sector Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT), has commissioned a standalone Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with a capacity of 20 MW / 40 MWh in Delhi.
The system, located at Kilokari, aims to enhance grid resilience, support peak power demand, and enable better integration of renewable energy at the distribution level.
Project Awarded Under BRPL’s Energy Storage Tender
The project, named Kilokari BESS Private Limited (KBPL), was awarded to IndiGrid in October 2023 by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL). It is India’s first utility-scale standalone BESS under a regulated framework. The system was developed with technical and institutional support from BRPL, the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), and Ampere-hour Energy (AHE).
By storing and dispatching power based on grid needs, the project is designed to help maintain system frequency, manage fluctuations in demand, and reduce reliance on peaking fossil-fuel-based generation.
A Step Toward Distributed Energy Storage
This installation marks a shift toward distributed energy storage solutions in urban areas, where stress on the grid is increasing. Battery systems like KBPL can act as buffer zones during high-demand hours and potentially delay or reduce the need for grid infrastructure upgrades.
According to industry analysts, projects like KBPL are essential in transitioning to a low-carbon power system. With India setting ambitious renewable energy targets, standalone BESS projects will likely play a growing role in managing grid intermittency and improving reliability.
IndiGrid Expands into Energy Storage
While IndiGrid has traditionally focused on transmission lines and solar generation, the commissioning of KBPL marks its operational entry into the battery storage space. The company has previously completed six projects under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) and Real-Time Market (RTM) frameworks, indicating a broader shift toward integrated power infrastructure development.
This BESS project is expected to serve as a reference point for future deployments, especially in cities with growing power demands and a push toward decentralised clean energy systems.
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